It was the 2008 Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the early days of this movement called The New Calvinism and this conference was meant to introduce all of these enthusiastic young Calvinists to the old guard, to those few men who had been faithfully preaching these truths for many, many years. It was only right that R.C. Sproul was there, it was only fitting that he was asked to preach. And did he ever! His …

Contrary to the fool, the Christian is a lover of wisdom (God’s truth). Our conduct, according to James 3:13, is to “show that [our] works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom” (CSB). No longer is the believer concerned about pushing their own agenda. Instead, the believer seeks to align their life according to God’s will and Word. Zeal for winning an argument (i.e. the fool) is transformed to a passion for seeing the lost respond in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apologetics becomes less about mere argumentation and more about listening and patiently giving answers (see Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well in John 4).

In Apologetics and the Christian Imagination: An Integrated Approach to Defending the Faith , Holly Ordway shows how an imaginative approach—in cooperation with rational arguments—is extremely valuable in helping people come to faith in Christ. Making a case for the role of imagination in apologetics, this book proposes ways to create meaning for Christian language in a culture that no longer understands words like ‘sin’ or ‘salvation,’ suggests how to discern and address the manipulation of language, and shows how metaphor and narrative work in powerful ways to communicate the truth. It applies these concepts to specific, key apologetics issues, including suffering, doubt, and longing for meaning and beauty.

This is part one of a four-part series of essays attempting to answer that question. These essays will by no means exhaust the possible answers, but they will help to equip us as Christians to give “a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Pet. 3:15). Below, I want to look at what I consider to be one of the most important arguments for the truth of Christianity. It was put forward in its most popular form by C.S. Lewis and is known as the ‘Lord, Liar, Lunatic’ argument, or the Trilemma .

Eyewitness Accounts: Many people think the Bible is just like other “holy books” telling mythological stories or giving philosophical advice. Not true! Upon close examination one will find that the Bible with its 66 different books is written by at least 40 authors who were either eyewitnesses of the accounts or who record eyewitness testimony. These authors came and went over a period of about 1500 years yet they are so cohesive in their subject matter and theme to the point that the 66 books flow as one. In addition the Bible’s content and preservation is unmatched in ancient literature.

Should Christians Get Involved in Politics? Frank Turek delivers the argument from the Biblical, philosophical, moral, theological, and historical positions. Please visit http://www.CrossExamined.org for more on why Christians should be involved in politics. Also, go to http://www.ImpactApologetics.com for more resources on Christian Apologetics and Christian Worldview, including the entire DVD of this teaching series.

America’s rural share of the population has dropped from 95 percent in 1810 to 55 percent in 1910 to 20 percent in 2010. And there’s no turnaround in sight. It’s a fact that makes tens of millions of rural Americans defensive about their place in our national life. They feel under threat, according to Robert Wuthnow, professor of social sciences at Princeton University and author of a new book, The Left Behind: Decline and Rage in Rural America . A native of Kansas, Wuthnow has interviewed hundreds of rural Americans and found deep concern “that their way of life is eroding, shifting imperceptibly under the feet, and being discredited and attacked from the outside.”

“Justification is more foundational, sanctification more ultimate. Without justification, sanctification is fruitless. Without sanctification, justification is pointless.”
This is one of the most theologically helpful articles I’ve ever edited at @TGC .
thegospelcoalition.org/article/though…

Imagine the confusion this created, as the storms dissipated in some areas, and continued in others! Parents and students wondered exactly when school would start. Instead of providing a definite starting time for county students, the officials based the starting time on, at a minimum, two variable factors: the weather conditions at the student’s home, and each person’s idea of what it means for a storm to be “over”. This, of course, varies widely; In my opinion, a storm is “over” when it no longer poses a serious threat of damage. My aunt, who was terrified of storms, would insist that a storm isn’t “over” until the sky is clear for at least an hour!

Some people think it is bad form to offer up critique on such an occasion. I disagree. Bishop Curry spoke in the name of Jesus and of Christianity, but he speaks for neither. To point that out is not bad form. It’s what love requires.

In our Rapid Response series, we tackle common concerns about (and objections to) the Christian worldview by providing short, conversational responses. These posts are designed to model what our answers might look like in a one-on-one setting, while talking to a friend or family member. Imagine if someone made the following claim: “Even if the events recorded in the Gospels came from eyewitness accounts, why should we trust what eyewitnesses tell us? Even modern-day witnesses are notoriously unreliable and are often wrong about what they claim to have seen. Why should we trust ancient eyewitness accounts?” How would you respond to such an objection? Here is a conversational example of how I recently replied:

I am writing to make you aware that I (Greg West) and The Poached Egg will be needing your help. After serving with Ratio Christi for 5 years, our partnership is coming to an end. I desire to see that the great work being done on campus continues and that, despite no longer being a part of RC, I can make The Poached Egg an even better resource for those defending the faith and sharing the gospel on campus or in the community.

I would like to suggest a means of becoming acquainted with the first five centuries of the church through the reading of primary sources—the writings of those who lived at that time. There are, of course, other options. One could begin with a book summarizing the names, dates, and important events of key church fathers, and that option has its advantages. For example, this approach provides the big picture within which the many individuals fit. For those who prefer this approach, I would recommend beginning with Nick Needham’s 2000 Years of Christ’s Power, Vol. 1: The Age of the Early Church Fathers .

So, keep walking into rooms and uncomfortable situations. Break the mold, the glass ceiling, the barrier! Why? Because organizations need you. They need the diversity of thought to address the challenges of ministry in our increasingly diverse communities. And, because the next generation is watching. They are watching to see if we can walk into organizations and change them. Be you who you are, no matter how different that is from those around you. Be the elephant in the room.

Third, joy often does not look like what we expect it to look like. The most sublime joys involve more tears than smiles. Laughter is, at times, not an indicator of joy, but simply an overflow of misery. The Bible says, “Even in laughter the heart may ache” (Proverbs 14:13), indicating that we are often sad on the inside while happy on the outside; and the Bible also says, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad” (Ecclesiastes 7:3), indicating that at other times we are happy on the inside while appearing sad on the outside. Things are often not what they seem.

I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the Gospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure on the part of Christians to live it out. I remember well in the early days of my Christian faith talking to a close Hindu friend. He was questioning the experience of conversion as being supernatural. He absolutely insisted that conversion was nothing more than a decision to lead a more ethical life and that, in most cases, it was not any different from other ethical religions. I had heard his argument before.

First, young people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). And part of being made in the image of God is having minds that are designed to understand and navigate the world. This is a universal truth about human beings. In my talk, “True for You, but Not True for Me,” I try to help student see that they base their daily decisions (sometimes even moment-by-moment decisions) on what they think is true: What time does class start? What assignments are due? Where is practice after school? And so on. As image-bearers, young people are designed to live their lives based on what they think is true.

On this episode of the Catalyst Podcast Brad Lomenick sits down with Andy Stanley at Catalyst West for a conversation about the importance of asking questions – why do we ask questions? What makes a good question? And what do our questions reveal? PLUS Andy looks ahead to what’s next for his ministry, family, leadership and the capital “C” church.

Have you ever noticed that the Gospels contain an unusual amount of embarrassing material? It’s all over really. When you think about it, including this data seems counterintuitive to the spread of Christianity. After all, if the disciples’ goal was to reach more people with the Gospel, wouldn’t it have made sense to leave out the gaffes? Wouldn’t it have been in their best interest to portray themselves only in a positive light?

In our post-Christian culture, it's becoming more and more common for believers to have their faith questioned. I have many students come up to me and ask how they can better defend their beliefs when challenged. You may have had such an experience. Or, perhaps you don't have a lot of people who challenge your faith specifically, but they hold to a particular belief that runs contrary to traditional mores and you'd like to be more effective at communicating your views to them. Here are two steps to help you do just that.

“Why do you keep me under guard? Do you think I am a sea monster? I lie down and try to rest; I look for relief from my pain. But you — you terrify me with dreams; you send me visions and nightmares until I would rather be strangled than live in this miserable body. I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense. Why are people so important to you? Why pay attention to what they do? You inspect them every morning and test them every minute. Won’t you look away long enough for me to swallow my spit? Are you harmed by my sin, you jailer?”

Let’s take John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 as examples. In John, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” In Acts, speaking of this same Jesus, Peter said, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Christians today are facing more challenges than ever. The Poached Egg exists to equip Christians to meet those challenges and be more confident in their faith and become more effective witnesses for Christ. If you find these articles and posts useful, please consider partnering with me in 2018 to continue this work that God has laid on my heart. As someone once said, the Gospel is free, but someone has to pay for the plumbing. You can become a monthly partner for just as little as $5 a month (that’s only $60 a year), the price of a gourmet cup of coffee. Special one time gifts are welcome and encouraged as well. Will you help?

Walter Hooper, C. S. Lewis’s personal secretary, once commented to the great Christian writer about a clever inscription engraved on an atheist’s tombstone: “Here lies an atheist. All dressed up with no place to go.” Not bemused, Lewis quipped: “That atheist probably wishes now that were true.”

And then there is sorrow. We are rightfully sad for how slow our souls are in receiving God’s grace. We are sad that we find ourselves more perturbed by our wounded ego than we are by the abortions that take place downtown, that we shake our fists at rude media more than we lift our hands to heal the broken, that we inwardly mock those who disagree with us more than we publicly defend the rights of the voiceless. We are sad about that in our depths with a kind of serious sadness that isn’t content to leave it there. We are grieved into repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9–10). We turn and we say, No more, Lord. Please, no more.

Now, I am not suggesting that you cease cultivating his lusts. This would be to abandon your tanks and cannons. No, continue to tempt him towards that lingering gaze as his co-worker and those YouTube videos that — while not technically being “porn” — cause the cauldron to brew. And, by all means, tempt him to look at nudity — just keep his harem within the walls of his imagination. This way, he will be less prone to confess it to others or feel like any real repentance is required. If ever he gets convicted to do so, congratulate him that at least he isn’t looking at porn.

Clearly, then, both religion and science are founded on faith—namely, on belief in the existence of something outside the universe, like an unexplained God or an unexplained set of physical laws, maybe even a huge ensemble of unseen universes, too. For that reason, both monotheistic religion and orthodox science fail to provide a complete account of physical existence.

Christians today are facing more challenges than ever. The Poached Egg exists to equip Christians to meet those challenges and be more confident in their faith and become more effective witnesses for Christ. If you find these articles and posts useful, please consider partnering with me in 2018 to continue this work that God has laid on my heart. As someone once said, the Gospel is free, but someone has to pay for the plumbing. You can become a monthly partner for just as little as $5 a month (that’s only $60 a year), the price of a gourmet cup of coffee. Special one time gifts are welcome and encouraged as well. Will you help?

“That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord.

I'm amazed there are that many. We live in a world where information is readily available. Information that proves Genesis completely false is available at the fingertips of anyone with a cellphone.
People of good will that Jesus would approve of? Lots of those folks here.

What to pray for this week: Many who would've enjoyed a sibling or grandchild discover that this person was aborted. Pray that they can forgive and receive solid relationships from God to fill the void. Download 21 Days of Prayer for Life! bit.ly/2CkG6ff pic.twitter.com/cHGm9RUJ6U

Spong ends his article with a paragraph that betrays the way he started his investigation. It’s difficult to understand how any plain reading of the New Testament Gospels (any of the Gospels) would lead one to believe “Christianity is not about the divine becoming human so much as it is about the human becoming divine.” But if this is your starting point, it’s possible to twist and distort the history of the text to make a case (even if that case is unreasonable). This is precisely what Spong has done. Eleven years ago, Spong wrote a book entitled, A New Christianity for a New World: Why Traditional Faith Is Dying and How a New Faith Is Being Born . Spong argued Christian doctrine needed to be reformed in order to bring it into alignment with the modern world:

“The change to allow girls into the BSA provoked a blistering response from the national Girl Scouts of America organization last year when they issued the following statement: ‘The Boy Scouts’ house is on fire. Instead of addressing systemic issues of continuing sexual assault, financial mismanagement and deficient programming, BSA’s senior management wants to add an accelerant to the house fire by recruiting girls,'” the council said.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of public television’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood . The milestone will bring with it a major book, a feature film (starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers), and even a U.S. postage stamp. When one considers all the ephemera of children’s programming, the ongoing cultural resonance of this show is staggering. Fifty years from now will anyone note the anniversary of Gumball or Clarence ? I doubt it. So why does Mr. Rogers, even long after his death, still beckon us into his neighborhood?

Ha ha. What a line!
"[Women's ministries have] grown into a national network of tightly connected events, books, and celebrity blogger-speakers who don’t explicitly exclude men..."
Exclude men? What planet is the author living on? Those type of men won't listen to a woman preach!

Of all the Seven Deadly Sins, envy is probably the most widely recognized as evil. Even the atheist Bertrand Russell said that it is one of the most powerful causes of human unhappiness. In the Bible, #envy is at the root of a host of crimes. bit.ly/2LojkEa pic.twitter.com/irnLFuByGh

The famous (or infamous, depending whom you ask) story of Noah and the flood fills Sunday school classes, kids’ books, and Christian art. The depictions are always the same—a bunch of cute zoo animals on a boat captained by a jolly old man, sun shining overhead, clouds puffier than cotton candy. If you had no backstory, you might think Noah loaded up some exotic animals to tour the Atlantic Ocean.

Other immigrant groups also began to build evangelical churches during these years. Although most early Haitian arrivals were French-speaking Catholics, the more diverse wave that followed included a growing number of Baptists and Pentecostals. Beginning in 1969, the First Haitian Baptist Church began as a Bible study group in Dorchester, led by a young seminary graduate, the Reverend Verdieu Laroche. In 1978, the church purchased the former Blue Hill Avenue synagogue (Adath Jeshurun), where it would flourish for the next thirty years. Several other pioneer congregations formed in the 1970s, but a veritable explosion of new Baptist and Pentecostal churches occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s to serve the new wave of Creole-speaking migrants. The number of Haitian Protestant congregations in Greater Boston thus increased from one in 1970 to more than fifty in 2000.